Prayer Plants (Maranta leuconeura) is a species of flowering plant that is known for its leaf movement, but what Prayer Plants benefits are there, and why should you get one?
Prayer Plants make a great addition to any collection for several reasons; they are quite easy to care for, are not toxic to animals, and of course, exhibit movement throughout the day that is fascinating to watch.
In this guide, we’ll explore 13 benefits of Prayer Plants to see why you should consider adding one to your houseplant collection.
Let’s get right into it.
What Is So Special About Prayer Plants?
Prayer Plants are unique and beautiful houseplants known for their attractive foliage featuring feathered, painterly-like veins. These plants truly stand out with their bold colors, making them perfect for adding a splash of color to window sills, mantles, or shelves in our homes.
One fascinating characteristic of Prayer Plants is their movement. They get their name from the daily raising and lowering of their leaves, resembling hands coming together in prayer.
One of the most common types of Prayer Plants is Calatheas (as pictured below), whose leaves move almost continuously throughout the day.
This movement is called nyctinasty, and it’s caused by a response to light, allowing the plant to maximize its sunlight exposure during the day and conserve energy at night. This captivating feature not only makes them special but also adds a sense of life and movement to our indoor spaces.
13 Prayer Plant Benefits
There are a lot of benefits to keeping Prayer Plants – let’s jump right into it!
1. Air Purification
Prayer Plants are not only beautiful; they also help purify the air in our homes. This has been shown in several studies and is one of the lesser-known facts about this popular houseplant.
They absorb pollutants and release fresh oxygen, making our indoor environment cleaner and healthier.
2. Aesthetically Pleasing
With their intricately patterned leaves and unique folding movements, Prayer Plants are visually appealing additions to our homes.
Their vibrant color combinations and artistic leaf patterns contribute to a warm and soothing atmosphere. I like to place my Prayer Plants in my office to watch them move around all day long.
3. Great For Gifts
As they are easy to care for and visually appealing, Prayer Plants make perfect gifts, especially for first-time plant owners or those who appreciate unique and attractive foliage in their homes.
They are also associated with the symbolism of gratitude due to the movement and shape of the leaves, which makes them an ideal choice for a gift.
4. Take Up Little Space
Prayer Plants are relatively small and grow slowly, making them ideal for small spaces like window sills, shelves, and side tables.
We can easily incorporate them into our home decor without taking up too much room.
5. Not Toxic
One of the best features of Prayer Plants is that they are non-toxic.
You don’t have to worry about children or other people accidentally touching the leaves and suffering from a reaction.
6. Easy To Care For
Prayer Plants are relatively low-maintenance, requiring only a moderate amount of light and water. They do like humidity on the higher end, which can be achieved by using a humidifier or pebble tray, and they are also quite sensitive to sunlight and temperature as well.
It took me a long time to find the right conditions for one of my Calatheas, but once you get the conditions right, they really don’t need much care.
7. Unique Appearance
The folding movement of Prayer Plants’ leaves is not only visually captivating, but it also sets them apart from other houseplants. At night, the leaves fold up as if in prayer and then unfold again during the day.
There aren’t many other houseplants that exhibit any kind of real movement throughout the day, so it makes a nice change and potential talking point as well.
8. Lots Of Varieties
There are many different types of Prayer Plants, each with its own unique size, patterns, and colors.
With so many varieties available, it doesn’t take much effort to find one that suits your style and personality.
9. Safe For Pets
As previously mentioned, Prayer Plants are non-toxic and safe for both dogs and cats, according to the ASPCA.
We can enjoy the beauty and benefits these plants bring without worrying about our furry friends’ health.
10. Easy Propagation
One of the benefits of Prayer Plants is their ease of propagation. We can easily propagate them by cutting a leaf and placing it in moist soil or water. In a short amount of time, new roots will sprout, and we’ll have a new plant to enjoy.
This makes it simple for us to share the beauty of Prayer Plants with friends and family or to simply expand our own indoor garden.
Even if you aren’t interested in propagation, it’s definitely a good choice to try and propagate a Prayer Plant at least once to understand just how easy it is.
11. Relieve Stress
Prayer Plants have a calming effect on the environment around them.
Their rhythmic day and night leaf movements provide a sense of serenity and peace. As we observe this natural phenomenon, it can help us to unwind, reduce stress, and bring balance to our lives.
12. Improve Productivity
Studies have shown that having plants in our homes or offices can improve productivity by increasing concentration and focus.
As a visually appealing addition to any space, Prayer Plants can be utilized to enhance our work areas and promote a more attentive and efficient work environment.
13. Cheap
One of the advantages of Prayer Plants is their cost-effectiveness. They are relatively inexpensive compared to other houseplants; this allows us to enjoy the benefits of indoor gardening without breaking the bank.
Once you’ve bought one Prayer Plant, it’s easy to propagate it as well, which also reduces costs
In Summary
There are lots of benefits of Prayer Plants – I personally love them because they are so easy to fit inside the home and aren’t a problem with animals.
There are also a lot of variations, and if you are into propagation, it’s super easy to grow more plants and give some away as gifts to your friends or expand your own collection.
